CertainTeed Windows was at one time a pretty big player in the window and door industry. In 2011, CertainTeed ceased all manufacturing of their new construction and replacement windows. Part of this decision was their relatively poor reputation in the industry for their less-than-ideal windows and patio doors. The company had lots of detractors that claimed that CertainTeed lacked consistency in their window batch manufacturing. Browse below to check out our CertainTeed Windows reviews.
Company Rating: 6.0 out of 10
Price Point: 6.5 out of 10
Bottom Line: I would be wary about getting a bid on a relabeled CertainTeed window, unless the sales person was VERY upfront about what series I was actually buying.
(Always collect 3 to 4 additional bids)
Bill — Site Editor
Certainteed Windows Reviews
CertainTeed Windows still exist, kind of – they are simply a relabeled window from MI windows. So when a consumer gets a bid on siding and/or roofing, the company will often ask about windows. If the consumer needs windows as well, they will sell them “CertainTeed windows.” In fact, they are buying a relabeled window (which is a fairly common practice in the window and door industry).
Saint Gobain owns Certainteed, along with a number of other building companies. While CertainTeed no longer makes windows, they do make siding and roofing materials. Ironically, CertainTeed windows are still sold, but they are relabeled windows made by MI windows.
Project Complaints
I have been a builder for over a decade and built countless homes over the years. When I decided to build my home (one that I had hoped to live in for many years), I did lots of research and obviously had some experience with companies. We decided to go with the Certainteed and I’m incredibly disappointed with how these windows performed. They are incredibly drafty and the home is cold all of the time. I called and Certainteed sent someone out – the rep said the windows weren’t defective and built to spec just as they should have been. He is an idiot as far as I am concerned.
Therefore, it was not covered under their warranty – basically they said that the drafty windows were performing according to their standards — I was floored. Apparently Certainteed sold their manufacturing to another company so they don’t (can’t) stand behind the actual products. I would never use these windows again and would advice others building homes against using their windows.
James – Home Builder – from Ohio in 2010
Certainteed vs Pella & Simonton
We shopped around and looked at 3 windows from 3 companies. Pella from Lowes with a local contractor doing the installation. Simonton from Home Depot with a local contractor doing the install. CertainTeed with same installation details.
The Simontons seemed like good windows, but there did seem to have quality differences and feature between the three brands. We ended up going with MI Xacts (which manufacture Certainteeds) – they are identical to Bryn MawrIII series.
The installation went great and was done by a local contractor who had lots of expereince with these exact windows. He was very precise and neat and didn’t cut any corners with the install. He trimmed and primed all the interiors and did all the caulking and touch-ups very well. These windows work perfect and look great. I paid $3600 for 9 windows in total. Steve – Homeowner – from New Jersey in 2010
Explore additional Pella windows reviews.
Certainteed Pricing Info
Low End Pricing: $300 to $400 installed
Mid Range Pricing: $400 to $500 installed
High End Pricing: $500 to $600 installed
More Certainteed windows prices.
Certainteed Customer Complaint
We have lived in our home for just over four years and have had tons of issues with our Certainteed windows that started about two months after they were installed. Specifically, you can actually feel cold air coming through the windows. In our bathroom the temperature is three degrees colder than other rooms in the house – I have documented the fact with a thermometer half a dozen times. We have a build up of frost on the inside glass.
Our builder come back out to pull the molding, re-flash all the windows and he even added foam insulation – the result? No difference! For that reason, we called the company and they sent out a rep whose conclusion was that our collective family body heat was the cause of the moisture. My own conclusion is that the windows are horrible (check out these contractor recommendations) and actually have two other neighbors who have issues with their Certainteeds and we are considering a class action lawsuit!
Matt – Homeowner – in 2011
Certainteed Windows Reviews
Alliance windows was originally part of CertainTeed until a few years ago. Originally, Alliance was named North American Window Alliance – eventually they separated to form CertainTeed and Alliance, two separate window companies.
The sad truth is that CertainTeed quality has been reduced over the years, they are now made by MI Windows, but Alliance make a pretty decent builder grade window, in my opinion.
In my opinion, the CertainTeed Bryn Mawr, is inferior to the Alliance Hawthorne window. In fact, I would go as far as to say that the Hawthorne is on a par with the Simonton 5500. Therefore, the Alliance Belmont is an excellent choice for mid range windows, while the Hawthorne is a decent vinyl option.
Neal – Installer – from 2011
Related Topics
Alliance Windows Reviews
Gentek Windows Reviews
Vinylmax Windows Reviews
